Press Release: Scalabrini Returns to Court for Cape Town Refugee Office Case

The Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town is back in court challenging the Department of Home Affairs’ non-compliance with the court order ordering the re-opening of a fully functional Refugee Reception Office in Cape Town.

The ‘Special Master’ case is set down for hearing in the Western Cape High Court on 12 and 13 May 2021.

The Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town and the Somali Association of South Africa, represented by the Legal Resources Centre, are going back to court to ask for a ‘Special Master’ to oversee the Department of Home Affair’s compliance in the matter Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town v Minister of Home Affairs (Case 1107/2016) – previous litigation which successfully sought the re-opening of a fully functional Refugee Reception Office (RRO) in Cape Town.

In 2017, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) found the closure of the Cape Town RRO to be unlawful. The SCA ordered that the DHA reopen and maintain a fully functional refugee reception office in or around the Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality by Friday 31 March 2018. The Director-General was also ordered to submit monthly progress reports to the applicants showing progress toward the reopening of the Cape Town RRO.

DHA attempted to appeal this matter to the Constitutional Court, but in December 2017 the Constitutional Court dismissed the DHA’s application and directed it to comply with the SCA Order. To date, no fully functional RRO has been reopened in Cape Town, nor have regular monthly progress reports been submitted.

DHA’s non-compliance has led the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town, as applicants in the matter, to re-approach the Courts. We are seeking the appointment of a Special Master to oversee compliance to reopen the RRO.

More Information

For a fuller explanation on the previous Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town v Minister of Home Affairs case, and why a fully functioning RRO in Cape Town is needed, visit our explainer page. 

Contact Us

For more information, contact:

Sally Gandar

Head of Advocacy & Legal Advisor, the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town

sally@scalabrini.org.za 

or

Sherylle Dass

Regional Director: Western Cape, Legal Resources Centre

Sherylle@lrc.org.za

Writing her own way

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Geruza, who arrived in South Africa from Angola as a two-year-old, has carved a life in Johannesburg’s metropolis. Faced with documentation and identity challenges, Geruza escaped into literature. Her writing skills have now led her to an opportunity to study Creative Writing at Masters level.

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In Angola, wars raged for 27 years. Amidst that conflict was Maria, a single mother of three young children. She fled Angola’s civil war with her children, making her way southwards to South Africa.

One of her young children was Geruza. ‘We arrived in South Africa in 1995, when I was only two years old,’ Geruza explains. ‘I have no memory of Angola or our arrival here.’ Within the metropolis of Johannesburg, Geruza’s mother worked several jobs to provide for her family.

Her mother’s determination to succeed was passed down to Geruza – who drew from her mother’s story for her own strength. ‘It didn’t seem to matter how difficult things got, my siblings knew that as long as we had each other, we could overcome anything.’ Together, her family navigated life as refugees in early democratic South Africa. ‘In South Africa, having pride in one’s cultural heritage has always been part of the fabric of the nation.’ Neither fully South African nor fully Angolan, Geruza struggled to define her heritage, and with time found her roots within her family unit.

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‘As an outsider, literature has always been my home.’

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‘As a teenager, I always felt like I didn’t quite fit in. I struggled a lot and spent my school lunch breaks huddled in the school library,’ she explains. ‘And because English was the language my siblings and I used at home, coupled with all the books I was reading – I excelled in English literature and creative writing at school.’

The school library offered a refuge for Geruza. ‘Writing has always allowed me to be me – it was an outlet where I could express my identity as I experienced it,’ she explains. ‘Reading introduced me to new worlds, experiences and people with stories very similar to my journey.’ Immersing herself in literature as a young girl, Geruza had already begun a journey that would pave the way to her future career.

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An unticked box: living without an ID number

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Geruza worked hard at school, and was awarded a year’s merit bursary to study at the University of Johannesburg. Propelled by a lived experience of injustice, she enrolled to study law. ‘My passion for social justice stemmed from the injustice I experienced living as a refugee. We were denied so much and I saw and experienced the impact. I wanted to be empowered with knowledge, to bring about change.’ she says. Once at university – aside from volunteering at human rights NGOs – she held down three jobs whilst balancing the full-time degree.

But this hard work was not enough to overcome certain administrative barriers. ‘My mum raised us saying that if we work hard, we will do well. So, my siblings and I went through life always ticking the check boxes. But the one box that no one told us about was having a South African ID number.’

Crushingly, in her second year of the law degree, during a module about the requirements to be admitted as an attorney, Geruza realized that she would not be able to practice law in South Africa due to her documentation status.

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The cessation of refugee status

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In May 2013, the South African government announced the cancellation, or cessation, of all Angolans’ refugee statuses in the country. This affected an estimated 8,000 Angolan people on refugee status at the time. Geruza and her family were some of the 2,000 people that opted to remain in South Africa on a ‘special permit.’ The permit was known as the ‘Angolan Cessation Permit’ (ACP). It was pasted into an Angolan passport and it was valid for two years.

‘I was concerned because my degree was 4 years and I needed a permit that reflected this.’ The ACP permit expired in 2015 – before she was due to graduate. Geruza pushed to complete her studies, with the stress of knowing she could not practice law thereafter, and that her permit was soon expiring. ‘I felt that I was always on borrowed time, due to the papers expiring … but I was only the second member of my family to go to varsity so I pushed through’. She graduated with an LLB in 2015.

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Borrowed time and piles of books

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In that same year, all ACP permits expired. The Department of Home Affairs did not intend to extend them, and the Angolan former refugee population was faced with an uncertain future in South Africa. For Geruza, whose family had been in South Africa for over 20 years and who had no living memory of Angola, this was an impossible situation as there was nothing to return to Angola to.

Unable to work or study, she immersed herself in her writing. ‘The year that we were waiting on decision on our documentation, I escaped back into books and wrote vigorously.’ It was during this time that Geruza really grew and developed her writing portfolio.

The Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town advocated for permanent residency to be granted to ACP permit holders. Following a lengthy legal negotiation, the Department of Home Affairs agreed to allow ACP applicants to make application to permanent residency in South Africa. Geruza, who is well accustomed to the struggles of remaining on valid documentation in South Africa, heard that The Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town was collecting applications for permanent residency. She and her family took a 19-hour bus from Johannesburg to Cape Town to submit their paperwork. And, when a new permit was granted (the Angolan Special Permit), they again returned by bus to apply for this new permit, and then again to collect the permit. The Angolan Special Permits expire on 31 December 2021.

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California calling

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Working as a freelance editor and copywriter, Geruza managed to support herself and her family. Geruza found comfort and inspiration in books by similarly placed people – people who had fled as refugees, who had to be headstrong, who survived the uncertainty. As Geruza describes, ‘living the life of a refugee means everything is uncertain. You are taught to take what opportunities comes and make something of it.’

In 2019, one such opportunity came to Geruza: a friend told her about a Masters in Fine Arts in Creative Writing at Chapman University in California and advised her to apply. Geruza submitted her portfolio of writing – much of it compiled under the stress of a semi-documented state in South Africa – and awaited a response.

She has been accepted onto the Master’s program with partial funding. Geruza is determined to complete her MFA and has made applications to source the remaining funds – using the determination that was perhaps set in her by the same determination of her own mother, back in the 1990s.

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Emerging African writers taking center stage

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Geruza is due to be in California in August this year. Her experience in South Africa has set the tone for her future plans. ‘I want to get into publishing and seek to promote emerging African writers – encouraging them to tell their stories.’

Throughout the stormy landscapes of her journey as a refugee, it is Geruza’s family unit that has offered sanctuary and a strong sense of identity. The prospect of leaving her family for a brief period is daunting. ‘I get emotional when I think about starting a new chapter without my family at my side. But I truly believe there’s a reason I was called to write – and I look forward to becoming a master of my craft.’

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New perspectives on being a leader

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To Aza, a leader has always been “a person in the spotlight” – someone who leads from the front. Joining UNITE has given Aza a new perspective on what it means to be a leader. She now believes that a leader is someone who pushes others forward and offers them the support to believe in themselves. This has been Aza’s experience of UNITE. Although 2021 has had an uncertain start, Aza is looking forward to being able to begin her first year of university.  

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Aza was in her final year of high school when South Africa announced its first Covid-19 cases. Schools closed down and students were left uncertain. “It was hard to believe at first!” explains Aza. “This was my matric year – how could this happen?” Aza felt like her life had come to a standstill and she was filled with feelings of frustration.  

Although times were difficult, Aza learnt to value the things that she has. She was surrounded by support structures; her family, UNITE and other school clubs. Aza knew that when times were difficult, she could contact any of the UNITE facilitators. For example, when Aza and her family were running low on food supplies, UNITE quickly stepped in to assist. “I felt very supported by UNITE during the lockdown.”  

Aza has been provisionally accepted to study Business Management, but she is waiting for her matric results to be released before she can get started. “It seems like it’s still 2020. I feel like my year hasn’t really started because I haven’t started university.” 

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Aza joined UNITE as a way to combat low confidence. “In primary school, I’d always seen myself as inferior. When I got to high school, I wanted to change that – I wanted people to recognise that I can make a difference.” 

“I grew up and saw other learners with determination and drive, but I didn’t have that. I wanted people to recognise me and I wanted to recognise myself.”  

Through activities and sessions, UNITE “encouraged [us] to be a person who looks at things differently.” This shift in perspective has encouraged Aza to pursue her life goals. “From that moment, it made me realise that I can do anything that I put my mind to. All of these teachings have made me realise that it’s all about being you. You can add value to the world just by being yourself.” Because of this, Aza began to see herself as someone who can make a positive impact: a leader.  

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Aza has always viewed a leader as a person who leads from the front. But in Grade 11, Aza’s perspective on this changed. In that year, it came to the surface that Aza had been struggling with substance abuse. The day that she was caught smoking at school, she was heading to Scalabrini for a UNITE meeting. “I told myself to accept the fact that they were going to kick me out [of UNITE], I am supposed to be a leader yet I am doing these things.”  

 Instead of being kicked out of UNITE, she was shown love, support and encouragement. In what was a collaboration between UNITE, her school (Heideveld) and her parents, Aza was given support and the strength to stop smoking. “You know when you have a line – something that prevents people from getting close to you – that day the line was completely broken. I knew that I was loved.”  

“We all make mistakes but being given the opportunity to understand the causes of those mistakes – or difficulties – and be able to overcome them with support is what matters most” says Jade, the manager of UNITE. UNITE has been able to use this as a learning tool – not only for Aza, but UNITE as a whole.  

It was after this that Aza’s idea of what a leader should be, changed. “UNITE has taught me that leadership is not about leading from the front, it is about pushing others to go forward. It is not about you or the spotlight. It’s about being there for others like UNITE has been for me. It’s made remarkable changes in my life. It’s been a long journey and I’ve experienced some real family.” 

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Announcement Regarding Directorship of Scalabrini

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After 17 years with the Scalabrini Centre, Miranda Madikane will be leaving the organisation, with her last day in her current role being the 16th April 2021. Miranda has made a significant and lasting contribution to the growth of the Scalabrini Centre and under her leadership, we were able to create many opportunities for the empowerment of migrants and refugees in their journey towards integration in South Africa.

Miranda’s impact on and contribution to the Centre is far reaching and I know that everyone joins me in thanking her for her commitment, dedication and efforts and in wishing her happiness and every success as she embarks on the next stage of her career.

Recruitment processes to appoint a new Executive Director have commenced.

Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town Board of Trustees

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Scalabrini Centre is Hiring: Executive Director

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Position: Executive Director
Reports to: Board of Directors
Work Location: Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town
Work Hours: Full time, 40 hours per week

The Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town’s vision is to foster the cultural, social and economic integration of migrants, refugees and South Africans into local society. Perceiving migration as an opportunity, the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town is committed to alleviating poverty and promoting development in the Western Cape while fostering integration between migrants, refugees and South Africans. In providing our assistance, we advocate respect for human rights and use a holistic approach that considers all basic needs.

Inspired by the teachings and actions of John Baptist Scalabrini, the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town offers a welcoming environment that is open to all and where each individual is valued and treated with dignity.

Guided by a sense of humility we promote respect for cultural diversity.

SCCT is looking for a suitably qualified candidate within South Africa for the position of Executive Director to lead and manage SCCT, to ensure it meets its strategic objectives.

Job Purpose
The Executive Director is tasked to ensure the achievement of SCCT’s strategic objectives, through leading the organization, establishing and nurturing partnerships and leveraging funding that enables SCCT to implement innovative programmes that support Government policies and services and that promote the rights of all.

 

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Strategic & Operational Planning

  • Cooperate with the Board to develop a Strategic Plan for SCCT and ensure implementation of the organisation’s vision, mission, values and objectives.
  • Ensure efficient and effective governance of SCCT, including the development of organisational policies and procedures that are understood by all staff and reviewed regularly.
  • Ensure that the SCCT Board of Directors have the necessary, timely information for effective governance and compliance.
  • Developing an appropriate organisational structure, defining role scopes and limits and levels of authority.

 

Administration & Financial management

  • Work with the Financial Manager to ensure sound financial management in SCCT including predictable funding flows, proper financial controls and procedures
  • Approve expenditure according to budgets, and negotiate changes to budgets with the finance sub-committee and funders when necessary
  • Ensure that the appropriate budgets and reports are prepared as per funding agreements.
  • Ensure that the office is administered efficiently and that all administrative systems, including correspondence and information systems, are functioning smoothly.
  • Ensure compliance with statutory, governance and contractual obligations

 

Management of operations

  • Ensure the development of annual operational plans and budgets for all programmes and effective implementation structures for the delivery of planned programmes.
  • Develop and maintain efficient and effective internal systems, including appropriate organisational and programme performance monitoring systems, reporting and record keeping systems.
  • Facilitate regular Management meetings for effective and efficient operational coordination.
  • Ensure the ordinary maintenance of the building in 47 Commercial Street and interact with Scalabrini Fathers for the extraordinary maintenance.

 

Human resource management

  • Lead the strategy to build and sustain a skilled, motivated team to reach the objectives of the organisation.
  • Work with the HR Manager to facilitate the effective and professional management of staff in the organisation.
  • Lead and direct the HR functions within the organisation to ensure the implementation of sound HR Practices, including Remuneration System, Recruitment, Performance Review Processes, Training and Development.
  • Ensure that volunteer portfolio is managed within legislative frameworks.
    Fundraising and Networking and Lobbying
  • Ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the organisation through effective organisational fundraising and management of donor relationships, including hosting funder visits to the Centre.
  • Co-ordinate and oversee all fundraising activities, including the development of funding proposals, negotiations with donors, reporting to donors.
  • Establish and maintain strategic relationships with key stakeholders and organisations working in complementary fields
  • Represent and promote SCCT at high level meetings and forums and interact with the Scalabrini International Migration Network (SIMN)

 

Required qualifications, skills and experience:

  • Applicants must be a seasoned strategic Senior Manager with the ability to lead a team in effectively managing large complex multi-stakeholder programmes.
  • Relevant tertiary qualification in the field of Human mobility.
  • At least 10 years’ experience at Executive and Operational Management level in the NGO sector
  • Must be eligible to serve as a Director in terms Section 69 of the Companies Act 71 of 2008
  • Combination of strong grant management, operations, human resource, monitoring, evaluation and report writing, financial and project management skills.
  • Knowledge of large donor processes and reporting requirements
  • Demonstrated networking and engagement skills with strategic partners across the board
  • Knowledge of the Social teaching of the Catholic Church and the Catholic network of charity and assistance (SACBC, Caritas, Vatican Section for Migrants and Refugees) advantageous
  • Advanced computer skills, specifically in MS Office as well as programme databases.
  • Read, write, and speak in English; other international languages of African migrants (i.e.French) are highly recommended
  • Driver’s license and own vehicle
  • Willing to travel both locally and internationally
    Personal Competencies
  • Attributes such as resilience, tenacity, creativity are highly desirable.
  • The ability to think strategically and analytically.
  • Good communication and inter-personal skills on all levels demonstrating sensitivity, respect, honesty and fairness in interactions.
  • Proven ability to work as a team member within multi-disciplinary teams and excellent networking and liaison skills.

 

To apply:

Please email your cover letter, including your salary requirements and your CV to priscilla@scalabrini.org.za.

The closing date for applications will be 7th April 2021

PLEASE NOTE:
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. SCCT reserves the right not to make any appointment in this position.
SCCT respects the privacy of its stakeholders and will treat all personal information provided in line with our Recruitment Policy and in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act.

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A butterfly effect: How English School’s WhatsApp classes contributed to research on mining and indigenous rights in Brazil

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Adriana, who is based in Brazil, studies transitional justice and the impact of mining companies on indigenous people in the Amazon. When she came to Cape Town to compare the findings of her research in Brazil with indigenous people from Southern Africa, she realized that her abilities in English were hindering the research. This realization led her to Scalabrini’s English School  – which opened up her world to the melting pot of South Africa.

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When Adriana arrived in Cape Town, she only knew basic greetings and how to say ‘thank you’. Like many people in South Africa, English was to be her third language. “I was born close to Venezuela, so for me, learning and speaking Spanish was easier. It is similar to Portuguese. English is different to other languages and is difficult to learn.”

English is not a common language in Brazil and is mostly spoken by the younger generations. Language has been an important part of Adriana’s research. “When Brazil was colonized, it was forbidden to speak other languages. Even the indigenous people in Brazil cannot speak their indigenous languages. There are 174 different languages in Brazil. Only the indigenous people who live inside their own tribes speak their indigenous languages…In South Africa, people speak their own languages. It’s not like this in Brazil. If these people die, we will lose those languages.”

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Adriana and her family lived in Cape Town for two years.  In the beginning this proved difficult because of the language barrier, but through her lessons with English School, Adriana improved her English abilities enough to be able to communicate easily. “[speaking English] provided me with the most important thing that I need – to speak to people and understand. I am not scared about talking to people anymore. Before English School, Adriana was very shy to try and communicate in English, but she now has the confidence to use the language

English School helped Adriana build on, not only her speaking skills, but her writing and reading too. “Because of that, I was able to contact people across Africa. I now have a group of people that I discuss all the readings of different genocides with, as well as my other findings.”

Adriana has found both similarities and differences between the indigenous populations in Southern Africa and Latin America. “Across the world, there has been a refusal to recognise the crimes against humanity {with regards to indigenous populations}.” Adriana has found similar practices in Africa and Latin America with the “illegal appropriation of labour, lands and resources from the communities.” The differences are centered around reparations. Where in Latin America, the judicial process is looking at individual reparations, the African concept – in some countries – “is about collective reparations and building the memory.”

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Adriana and her family left South Africa just before Level 5 lockdown in South Africa. They made the decision to go home because her step-son back home in Brazil fell ill. He sadly passed away from Covid-19 before his symptoms were understood.

When the pandemic hit South Africa, English School needed to adapt to be able to continue. English classes were moved online – this enabled Adriana to continue her English studies online. “It was not the same, but I loved it. English School still provided us with lessons and sent us links to watch some videos, they also helped us with our writing.” Adriana was able to complete her course with English School via WhatsApp.

Adriana now hopes to begin learning her fourth language –French – in order to continue her research of the indigenous people of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

 

 

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Education and new opportunities with UpLearn

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Before coming to South Africa, Charlotte never imagined that she would be able to further her education past high school.  A chance encounter with a stranger in a taxi led Charlotte to Scalabrini – she now holds a BA degree in Management specializing in Logistics and Operations. 

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Charlotte’s journey with UpLearn began in 2018.  When she completed her Associate of Arts (AA) she experienced her first graduation. “It was amazing! There were 28 student’s graduating and everyone was very excited. After receiving our certificates there were many tears … but they were more like tears of joy.”  

After graduating, Charlotte began her BA in Management. Students are given four years to complete their AA and BA, but it took Charlotte just over a year. “The journey was really a difficult one. Whenever you accomplish something in a short period of time, it’s going to be tough.” Being a mother of two young children and having duties to do at home whilst finding the time to study is not always easy. This was where Charlotte saw huge benefits with UpLearn. “[With UpLearn], you can choose your own schedule and working online is flexible, you can do it at night when your children are sleeping or on weekends when their father is there.” 

When Charlotte first came to Scalabrini she accessed Employment Access and through being at the office she met some of the UpLearn students – and she immediately let Employment Access know that she wanted to study too. Charlotte’s dreams were almost dashed when she was told that UpLearn was full. “I was so disappointed, because I really wanted to educate myself. After a month I received a call from EAP saying one student dropped out from the programme, but there was a long waiting list. I didn’t know if I stood a chance. I decided to apply and sent my application. They then called me in for an interview.  After two weeks they contacted me and said congratulations I made it through! That was the happiest day of my life.” 

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While still living in Zimbabwe, Charlotte worked as a secretary and furthering her education was just a dream. “In Zimbabwe if you do not have mathematics your chances of going to university are very slim. I never knew that I would end up at a university and leave with a degree.”  

“I was not an A student, but if you look at me now, you can say I have a degree. With dedication and perseverance, you can achieve this. [Before UpLearn] I was very shy. Through being equipped with different skills and being part of workshops where you have to facilitate sometimes, I have learnt to become bolder and more confident. I have become more confident because I have gained skills.”  

Charlotte felt supported by UpLearn during her studies and always knew that there was someone to assist with problems relating to studies or personal problems. “There is constant support available to students. Even during Covid they gave us 10 gigs of data so we can complete our assignments and last year every student got given a laptop. They (UpLearn) always provide resources.” 

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At the time of speaking to Charlotte, she was busy with an internship with the Global Education Movement (GEM), where she is responsible for graduate support and helping with CV’s and cover letters – similar work to the services she first accessed at Scalabrini with the Employment Access Team.  

UpLearn is a part of GEM launched by SNHU in five different countries: Rwanda, South Africa, Malawi, Kenya, and Lebanon. Charlotte assists people from each of these countries. GEM’s aim is to address the reality that worldwide there are more than 65 million refugees and other displaced peoples and only 1% have access to higher education. The objective of the initiative is to give those who may be prohibited from accessing tertiary education by financial or legal barriers an opportunity to empower themselves through education.    

The internship was supposed to be three months, but when the interview took place her internship had already been extended more than once. “I started in June 2020. It was supposed to be 3 months, but they decided to extend it with a month. They extended it again and now I am still there. I am enjoying it and I am so grateful to be granted such a wonderful opportunity.” 

With a firm interest in logistics – Charlotte hopes to one day work for a transport company in the logistics team – specifically focusing on keeping packages safe. “I read in so many cases whereby some goods are being lost when transporting them. I would like to introduce an idea or a system of different packaging, which makes sure the goods arrive safely at their destination. We don’t want to have a case where goods are lost or broken.” 

**Update** 

Since this article was written, Charlotte’s internship at GEM has turned into a part time position as Assistant Editor.  

 

 

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Scalabrini Services January 2021

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For general questions about Scalabrini, please email info@scalabrini.org.za, or call 021 465 6433

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To contact the Advocacy Programme, you can send a WhatsApp or call to 078 260 3536. If you send a message, this will be logged and one of the Advocacy team members will get back to you. You can also check important updates for refugees and migrants here.

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Please note, our Welfare Team has a very limited fund to help refugees and migrants at this time. Please understand that the Welfare Team are simply not able to assist everyone. To apply, please call or send a 'please-call' SMS to 071 711 1486 (Monday-Friday 9am-4pm). You can also email jane@scalabrini.org.za.

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For questions related to employment (job seekers for employees, job placement for employers) contact our Employment Access Programme. To contact the Employment Access Programme, please email employmentsupport@scalabrini.org.za or send a WhatsApp to 081 491 7811. 

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If you have questions about learning English at Scalabrini, you can contact our English School. The English School conducts classes on WhatsApp. Only certain students come into the office, on invitation only, in line with Covid-19 protocols. To contact the English School, please call or WhatsApp  072 069 2014.

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If you have questions about the Scalabrini Guesthouse please WhatsApp or call 072 126 7808 or email reservations@scalabrini.org.za.

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If you have questions about Lawrence House, the Child and Youth Care Centre, please email lawrencehouse@scalabrini.org.za or call 021 448 1144.

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If you have questions about SIHMA, that conducts research, please call 021 461 4741 or email admin@sihma.org.za. 

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Our UNITE programme works with high school students to build social cohesion in South Africa. To find out more, please email unite@scalabrini.org.za.

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Our UpLearn programme runs online degrees using a blended learning approach. To find out more, please email info@scalabrini.org.za.

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Our Women’s Platform  brings together women through training and development programme. To contact the Women’s Platform at this time, please email send a Whatsapp message to 061 649 6552

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Check our Facebook page for further announcements. For reliable information on Covid-19 and governmental updates, visit www.sacoronavirus.co.za.

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Homelands

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Miranda Madikane, director of Scalabrini, reflects on the organisation’s year in her end-of-year letter. Image credit: Maria Rivans for Wellcome Collection.

Dear partners, friends, colleagues!

This year has been a whirlwind, which has blown both good and bad into our lives.

Our first 2020 newsletter, at the onset of the pandemic, marvelled at the adaptability of the Scalabrini team in reaction to the national lockdown – an adaptability mirrored in our clients’ everyday lives as they navigate and survive in South Africa. Our second newsletter looked at the unexpected depth of warmth and hospitality that the pandemic created amongst the general public. And now, as our last newsletter closes off this turbulent year, it is time to settle into the festive season and reflect. I find myself reflecting on this idea of coming ‘home’.

Whatever your faith or beliefs, December is a time of year when we seek to draw closer to our friends and families. It is intended as a time of rest and reflection and many of us return ‘home’ to be with loved ones. I think I am safe in saying that, if any of us are able to be safe, and with loved ones this December, we are in a very fortunate percentage of the world – and the pandemic has only served to highlight this.

Much like the opening scenes of the film ‘Wizard of Oz’ (in which a tornado rips into the protagonist’s life and whisks her home away) the pandemic seemed to tip our worlds upside-down in a mighty whirlwind; our concept of ‘home’ might too have been affected. Many people have been unable to reach loved ones due to the travel restrictions brought about by Covid-19. For others, ‘home’ is not a safe or happy space – and our recent SGBV campaign  has aimed to signpost those who are not safe in their homes.

As you can imagine, for the majority of our clients, returning to their homeland is simply an impossibility – pandemic or no pandemic.

Homesickness was recently explored (and beautifully illustrated) in a recent article in which a student from Scalabrini’s English School was featured. This was one article in a series about homesickness. This specific piece looked at refugee communities’ homesickness – ‘when you can’t return home’. The idea of ‘home’ and ‘missing home’ has been found to form more than just a personal feeling among those seeking asylum. Homesickness for many refugee communities is something much more profound, deep and communal – a shared sentiment that shapes the communities’ identity and diaspora cultures. Mirroring this, our Far From Home Series collected up some beautiful, strong words from people on migrant and refugee status in South Africa who survived the pandemic ‘far from home’. Marc, for example, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, stresses that ‘we need to be strong and never lose hope. I understand that things are even worse especially when you are far from home …  [but] every time we put food on our table, we shall remember those who don’t have.’ This strength, despite being far from home, is what strikes me so often at Scalabrini.

This festive period, I hope you are able to rest and reflect with those you love. If you are not able to, I hope you can take strength from others around you and know that you are not alone. Onacisse, who participated in Far From Home, leaves us with some hopeful advice: “Check up on family and friends, and appreciate them each every day, it reduces stress especially during this tough time. I hope and believe that one day we will rejoice with our loved ones, because Coronavirus is not going to stay forever. And after this pandemic life is going to change for the better.”

I wish you a peaceful December break, and we hope that 2021 will bring us warm breezes rather than whirlwinds!

Miranda Madikane
Director at Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town

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Promoting human rights through our affordable and socially-responsible Guesthouse

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As Human Rights Day approaches, tourists and travelers can contribute to ensuring migration rights, simply in the accommodation they choose! 

The term ‘conscious travel’ has a green glimmer to it – one usually thinks of promoting environmental sustainability – but it also encompasses community impact and human rights. The Scalabrini Guesthouse offers affordable accommodation in the heart of Cape Town’s city centre and all of the revenue goes directly to supporting Scalabrini – an organisation which provides vital services to refugees, migrants and South Africans with a vision of fostering peaceful integration between all.   

With the December season upon us, people will be traveling around the country to spend time with loved ones. This migration is reflected in the people using Scalabrini’s services: people who have travelled to South Africa in search of a better life for themselves and their loved ones. The simple choice that you make about where to stay in Cape Town can help with making someone’s integration into South Africa a bit easier.  

Lockdown Assistance 

 When the hard lockdown hit South Africa, our welfare team jumped into action to support people who are migrants and refugees, as there was very little government support available to them, and those in informal jobs were hardest hit. The welfare team assessed and assisted over 5,000 people during the hard lockdown and continue to do so now as the lockdown has eased. The Welfare Programme is just one of the areas that the guesthouse revenue supports.  

With many people still feeling overwhelmed by the effects of lockdown and not knowing how they can help, the Scalabrini Guesthouse offers a solution to this, while also being able to enjoy your time off.  

Heart of the city 

The guesthouse is located in the centre of Cape Town – meaning the beaches, mountains and other attractions are easily accessible. Each room comes with its own bathroom, there is daily housekeeping and laundry services are on offer. A fully-equipped kitchen allows for self-catering, but there are also plenty of great restaurants nearby! 

Contact Us   

Sindiso Hlokomayo – Facilities Manager 

reservations@scalabrini.org.za 

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